Teaching the early learners

by Shanthi Wijesinghe

* Learn about the country you will be working in - This means that you have to know work criteria like the back of your hand. Many teachers have failed here. The geography, people and their way of life are very important areas that need some careful study.

* Clear out grey areas regarding salary, type of accommodation and other nitty-grittys. Just because you have been asked to take up a job you do not need to go in blindly and have the shock of your life or live it out in misery.

* Learn the country's rules - Read the fine print. If it says you cannot touch a child anywhere it means just this. Even a pat on the head is considered 'anywhere' in some countries.

* Be truthful even if it could hurt you. Never try to gloss over an incident. At the end of the day it is your word against a parent/teacher who has been there before you. You are the outsider.

* Learn ways of travel and alternate ways of travel to and from work.

* Learn how public transport works and stick to time schedules. You will really have to do a lot of work in this area with regard to effective time management.

* If you are required to be at work at 7.00 a.m. it does not mean you can rush in at 7.01. It means you have to be there at 6.55 a.m.

* Find out job requirements. Most teachers go blue in the face when they realise they cannot enjoy the same status as given here - that of a Montessori teacher - Well, too late! Buckle down and work hard so that your employers will really like you. Most often Montessori teachers have to work as Montessori domestics. Welcome to reality!

* Cleaning up is considered part of your job. This means cleaning out toilets too. You are responsible for keeping the environment neat and squeaky clean. If it is not, see that you establish it.

* Unlike here, Montessori usually comes with a day-care tag. This means that you have to work up to 6.00 p.m. There may be shift work in some schools.

* Study employee rules and regulations of the area. Learn when and where you have to lodge a complaint should the opportunity arise.

* Do not think working on the other side is a picnic - although it may look and seem like one. You have to really do a grind in order to exist.

* There are no domestics - you are the domestic because there is no such word as 'maid' in most western cultures unless of course you are working for an exclusive outfit.

* Montessori nannies have been quite the 'in' thing in some affluent cultures for the past few years. This means that you are responsible for the child's academic work and that you have to have a working diploma which includes the Montessori primary curriculum.

Children may be tacky, finicky and peculiar especially when they realise you are different. They may try brow-beating you or making snide remarks - never fear. Give as good as you get - but gently.

* Do not apply for a post you think you can do. See that you fill the vacancy as is required.

* Never raise your voice at a child. If you have to reprimand him do it in a way his parents will understand. Most importantly when you speak to parents make them understand you will be correcting the child. Do not ask for their permission to do this.

* Some families and their kids can be extremely lovely. (heavenly in fact!) They will include you in their outings and family occasions. Do not act as the nanny. Show your intelligence by mingling and talking to guests without hiding behind a mountain of ice-cream!

* As Sri Lankans we are ever helpful. Be careful. Do not become the carpet for people to wipe their feet on.

* Help out by all means. Be the friend they want you to be - but see that the line is drawn when it comes to depending on you for every little chore.

* The Montessori secondary curriculum is for ages 12 - 18. It is a wide array of themes and you are totally responsible for the grades. You need to have a 4-year post-graduate degree in this area for the job.

* Update and Upgrade - those are the keywords. A friend wrote to me recently from UK saying her diploma was considered old - it was. She had graduated in 1989. She was asked to update and upgrade herself. Need I say more?

* During your free time use the internet to chat with teachers. There are many useful sites and much information to gather.

* Try to enroll in practical courses on allied therapies.

* Learn the many facets of therapeutic values of teaching and healing for kids who have to deal with trauma.

* Don't go on if you are unhappy. Talk to your employer. Very often he/she may not be aware of your difficulty because we are a race who think that others are mind-readers and that if we go round pulling a long face people will notice. In all probability you will be given notice to quit your job! So, be careful.

* Be sensitive to parental needs.

* Let parents and kids know that you are sensitive too.

* Learn to enjoy your work and gather as much experience.

* Don't get lost - do return to your motherland. Our children need you. We need you.

The writer is Exec.

President - Association of

Montessori Directresses (AMD),

Sri Lanka/Chief Administration Officer - Competence Centre for Early Childhood Development (CCECD), Sri Lanka.